Sony Xperia Z3: the more notable new features

posted by Peter K. / Sep 03, 2014, 9:57 AM

The Sony Xperia Z3 might be just a slight upgrade over its predecessor, but when you think of it, Sony's newly-unveiled flagship addresses several key aspects that amp up the game of the Xperia flagship line even more. Well, not as much as we'd like it to be, but we have to give Sony some credit for keeping its flagships moderately up-to-date and always with a new feature or two.

As the improvements the new Xperia Z3 flaunts over the Xperia Z2 are somewhat hard to spot at first sight, we decided to detail them in handy list. Starting from the improvements to the camera and moving on to the slightly better SoC, the Xperia Z3 will probably appeal to those who have eyed Sony's most advanced lineup with awe, but were reluctant to jump on the bandwagon with either the Xperia Z2 or the Xperia Z1. Not that the Z3 is such a significant upgrade compared to its predecessor, it's just a more polished and refined device as a whole.

Sony Xperia Z3 - all the new features

Well, it's not a Snapdragon 805, but the Snapdragon 801 MSM8974-AC in the Xperia Z3 is slightly more power-laden than the Snapdragon 801 MSM8974-AB inside the Xperia Z2. The latter is already powerful enough to ensure a smooth and lag-free everyday use, but it's always good to have a clock rate that is several hundred megahertz higher, isn't it?

Faster processor

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The Sony Xperia Z3 comes with a 20.7MP camera that is endowed with a brand new, 25mm wide-angle "G Lens", which allows you to fit more in every shot, as per the manufacturer. We'll have to wait until the first camera comparisons before we can say if this has amped up the image quality, though.

New 25mm wide-angle camera lens

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Sony boasts that the Xperia Z3 is the first smartphone from a major manufacturer that allows photography devotees to boost the light sensitivity all the way up to ISO 12800. This will most probably allow for more-detailed photos under nightmarish low-light conditions.

ISO 12800 for better low-light photography

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Sony has really outdone itself in the size department this time, as the Xperia Z3 is shorter, narrower, and extremely thin with dimensions of 5.75 x 2.83 x 0.29 inches (146 x 72 x 7.3 mm). This has resulted in a negative spike in its weight, as well - it tips the scales at 5.36 oz (152 gr).

More lightweight and compact

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The Xperia Z2 is already IP58-certified, but the Xperia Z3 runs circles around it with its IP65/IP68 certification, the "highest waterproof rating". According to Sony, this enables the device to remain undamaged by being submersed up to 1.5 meters of water for as long as 30 minutes, "even with an open headphone jack".

Better water-resistance

Sony Xperia Z3 - all the new features

Well, it's not a Snapdragon 805, but the Snapdragon 801 MSM8974-AC in the Xperia Z3 is slightly more power-laden than the Snapdragon 801 MSM8974-AB inside the Xperia Z2. The latter is already powerful enough to ensure a smooth and lag-free everyday use, but it's always good to have a clock rate that is several hundred megahertz higher, isn't it?

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 10:12 AM 0

Posts: 314; Member since: Nov 13, 2013

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 10:19 AM 0

Posts: 2942; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

I know you asked Art... but I would like to participate...
The Z3 in my opinion is not a bad upgrade, but they should have push a little more (like some of the 6 suggestions made on the other article)... but what seems to be the pinacle of Sony today, is the Z3 Compact... and nobody has reported this already, but this phone just became the best screen-to-size ratio for a waterproof phone today... with around 71% (according to my calcs, please check PA)...
This year's end will have a new bigger iPhone that have little competition for its audience... but among the competing devices the Z3C stands very high

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 10:28 AM 5

Posts: 82; Member since: Feb 12, 2014

for me the z3 upgrade is okay,they dont need to push much so that z4 on january can have all the latest upgrades,its there 6month cycle flagships,so we better compare every other sony flagships like Z compare to Z2 and Z1 compare to Z3,then we can see they real thing there,

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 10:47 AM 0

Posts: 1121; Member since: Jan 10, 2014

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 10:05 AM 0

Posts: 1276; Member since: Mar 22, 2014

ISO 12800 isn't even usable on modern-day APSC sensor DSLRs!
My full frame NikonD6100 produces unsatisfactory results at this ISO level (albeit very passable)..........and that's a ginormous FULL FRAME sensor!
Who are they trying to fool here?????
SONY is a joke. This gimmick is a fcking joke

Posts: 3535; Member since: Dec 21, 2012

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 10:27 AM 1

Posts: 82; Member since: Feb 12, 2014

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 11:58 PM 1

Posts: 2942; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

I have the QX100 and the ISO 12800 is pretty amazing for incredible night shots... It allows me to take pictures of things that wouldn't be possible otherwise or at least it would be very hard...
I manage to take a picture of Orion Constellation on the clear sky, but inside my city (bright lights) so to the naked eye only allow you to barely see Orion, but the picture came out showing hundreds of stars nearby.
No gimmick at all, and professional photographers will find good use to it.

Posts: 200; Member since: Sep 08, 2013

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 11:28 AM 0

Posts: 165; Member since: Oct 16, 2013

iso 12,800 of course is not usable but i'd like to see the results. maybe the 3,200 and 6.400 iso images now will be less noisy. however with ois (and half the iso is more than enough) and proper software it could easily be as good as a 1020. wish it had a bigger aperture too (there are a few f/1.8 smartphone cameras). still very curious to see the images it can capture.

posted on Sep 03, 2014, 12:33 PM 0

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

Number 4 is hilarious. This thing is still a giant bezel monster and an instant deal breaker.
I was hoping at least one of the Note 4 and Z3 would pull a Sharp Aquous Crystal and go completely bezel less with something higher than 720p.